Rome Targa Black

The Rome Targa is a truly customizable binding; you get to choose how soft or firm the ankle strap can be. This is a handy binding if you find yourself riding everywhere on the mountain, from backcountry pow to the urban streets-this binding can do it all.  With the targa (over the 390) you get the extra AutoStrap on the toe strap, as well as more cushioning on the baseplate. The only downfall to this is that it makes it a little heavier, oh well! I liked this binding a lot. It was a very close call between these and the 390’s, but I liked the more cushion in the plush ankle strap and the weight of the 390’s better. One of my buddies liked the targa’s more… Bottom line: targa’s are sick!

Grades:
Construction: A+
Flex: Stiff to Soft, you chose
Weight: Light
Comfort: A
Size: Fits true to size
Usage: Park / Streets / All mountain
Overall: A

Graft 155

Boots: 32 Lashed / Rome Libertine

Bindings: Rome 390 (Neon) / Rome Targa

Stance: 17 / -17, 25″

Mountain:

I reached the top of the lift, strapped in, and got ready to take this new board on a few runs before hitting the park. This deck was nice and buttery; it felt like it wanted to be ridden on the nose or the tail. I was cruising down the run and I decided to see how well this board could ollie, and s#@! could it ollie! Despite the buttery nature of this board, it  produced a decent amount of pop.  Down the blues I found myself hopping off of everything and throwing little 180′ s and 3′ s. I was over rotating a bit at first due to the lightness of the board and to my surprise the board was very forgiving, allowing me to wash-out and not bail. This board is very nimble and easy to maneuver whether on the ground or in the air.  Then to the blacks for the speed test! I knew this would be the weak spot for the board due to its park nature, so I started down the first black to test its limits. I found the deck holding its own – very little chatter or wobbling at all. Over all, I would say it’s a stable board. (I would not recommend this board for someone looking to do a lot of speed runs or blacks.)

Park:

At the top of the park I found myself excited! This was where  the board wanted to be. As I took my first lap through the park and got comfortable, I found the board floating off the kickers ,and the landings were nice and easy. After a few more laps I hit some of the rails. The board is nice and flexible between your feet and is very easy to control. On the boxes I found the graft stable and easy to press and balance. The weight and balance of this board make a great combination – durable, yet light and nimble.  This board is truly at home in the park; this is what it was built for. Riding this board in the park was so much fun, I think I still have a smile on my face.

Summary:

Overall this board was very nice, even though you can’t do speed runs on it. I was really impressed with Rome on this one. I now know why they say it takes a skate approach to snowboarding; it feels like you are constantly in a skate park wanting to jump and spin off everything. This is a great board and I can see it becoming a favorite in my quiver or even my main ride. I love the board!  It’ll just makes you smile every time you strap it to your feet!

Grades:
Steeps/Speed: C+/B- (for a freestyle deck)
Butter: A-
Jibs: A
Spin-a-ability: A+
Jumps: A
Pipe: Unknown
Fun: A+++

I hope you enjoy this review, please feel free to leave any comments below. I will follow up when I have logged some more hours on the board.